Hi (from retirementville) The short answer is that there is no universal source that covers the entire video waterfront. There are general mass market distributors (hello amazon!) from whom we buy close to 100% of our feature films and mass marketed docs. The rest of the stuff--i.e. independently produced docs--are generally exclusively distributed by a single source (the Bullfrogs, Icaruses, California Newsreels, MEFs, Filmakers Libraries of the world). YPB and MidWest claim they can handle the latter... In my experience they're not very good at it (for unavoidable reasons, perhaps)...which means the laborious but necessary task of ordering from a whole mess o' separate vendors. On the other hand, the necessity of dealing with these independents almost always results in beneficial relationships (and sometimes discounts), the likes of which are completely alien to the amazons of the world.
Gary Handman (who's enjoying the autumnal smell in the Northern California air) > We currently acquire our videos from many different video producers and > smaller distributors - as well as Amazon. Do any of you, in particular > academic libraries, use distributors to acquire a large percentage of your > educational and perhaps even feature film videos - in a similar manner to > buying books from YBP? I believe MidWest Tape would be an example. I > would be interested in hearing any advice you may have - from pros and > cons to video distributors that are especially effective. > > Thanks. > Marilyn > -- > Marilyn Nasserden > Music and Art Librarian > Libraries and Cultural Resources > University of Calgary > Office: TFDL 510H (phone ahead and/or ask for me at the Arts & Culture > Desk, TFDL 5th floor) > Phone: (403) 220-3795 > > VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of > issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic > control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in > libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve > as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of > communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video > producers and distributors. > Gary Handman [email protected] “Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.” --Groucho Marx VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
